Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
Byrd Scholarships for GED recipients

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 20, 2008) — Kentuckians who have taken the GED since July 2007 and achieved at least a 2700 composite score on their GED exams may apply for a Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship before June 30, 2008. The scholarships, up to $1,500 a year for four years of college, are administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA).

GED graduates may apply through Zip Access at www.kheaa.com. To apply, sign in to Zip Access with your user ID and password. Those who have not used Zip Access before should register to create a user ID and password. Interested GED graduates should apply as soon as possible because adult education counselors must certify applicants for consideration by June 30. 

The Byrd Scholarship is named for longtime U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, who authored the legislation establishing the program in 1985. Kentucky receives enough funding to award 90 scholarships to high school seniors and GED graduates each year, 15 from each of the state’s six congressional districts. GED recipients are chosen by an independent panel, based on GED score and adult education counselor recommendation. For more information about Byrd Scholarships, call Beth Lane at (800) 928-8926, ext. 6-7229.

To learn how to plan and prepare for higher education, go to www.GoHigherKY.org. For more information about Kentucky scholarships and grants, visit www.kheaa.com; write KHEAA, P.O. Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602-0798; or call (800) 928-8926, extension 6-7381. For information about low-cost student loans, visit www.studentloanpeople.com; write The Student Loan People, P.O. Box 24328, Louisville, KY 40224-0328; or call (888) 678-4625.

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